Gun firing method for the simultaneous dispersion of projectiles in a pattern

ABSTRACT

A gun firing method for multiple projectiles to be fired simultaneously in a predetermined symmetrical pattern, whereby some of the multiple projectiles are modified by moving the center of mass of the projectile away from it&#39;s central axis. This in combination with bring fired from a rifled gun barrel will impart velocity to the projectile upon exiting the gun barrel at right angles to the barrel. This velocity along with the higher muzzle velocity will cause the modified projectile to diverge away from the trajectory of a standard projectile. The magnitude of the divergence will vary with the distance the projectile&#39;s center of mass is away from it&#39;s central axis, and the placement of the modified projectile strikes around the bull&#39;s-eye will be determined by the loading orientation of the multiple projectiles in the chamber of the gun. Simultaneously firing a multiplicity of standard and modified projectiles will produce a symmetrical dispersion pattern on a target, which substantially increases the hit probability of the gun.

This is a division of Ser. No. 10/431,786, Filed May 6, 2003

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

With the advent of guns and firearms much effort has been devoted to their perfection in the art of firing projectiles to hit specified targets. An important factor to consider relating to the firing of a gun is the hit probability of the weapon.

A shotgun increases the hit probability by firing multiple projectiles in a random dispersion. An automatic weapon increases the hit probability by firing a random dispersion of projectiles toward a target, thereby covering a broad area around a target and assuring a greater chance of striking the target.

Increasing the hit probability of a handgun or rifle is also desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention advances the art of firing projectiles. The invention is a method for a pattern dispersion of projectiles from a fixed gun barrel. The invention consists of firing multiple specialized projectiles, and standard projectiles, simultaneously from a gun and having those projectiles strike the target in a predetermined symmetrical pattern. Firing a symmetrical pattern of projectiles significantly increases the hit probability of the gun. The specialized projectiles accomplish this by mass out of the circumference of the projectile. The center of mass of the projectile is no longer on the central axis of the gun barrel and the centrifugal force from the projectile spinning in the gun barrel, because of the rifling, imparts a force on the projectile at right angles to the barrel. Upon exiting the gun barrel, this velocity, along with the much higher muzzle velocity determine how far away from the bullseye the projectiles will strike.

More mass taken from the circumference of the projectiles will result in the projectiles striking the target further away from the bullseye. The dispersion pattern of the multiple projectiles with an offset center of mass that are fired simultaneously is determined by the orientation of the specialized projectiles in the chamber of the gun when fired.

The specialized projectiles that are designed not to hit the bullseye can have mass removed from the side of the projectile or the ends in such a way that the center of mass of the projectile is no longer on the central axis of the projectile. The center of mass of 4 the projectile can also be moved from the central axis by adding mass to the projectile on the circumference.

A standard weight projectile can be divided into several smaller projectiles with the accumulated weight of the smaller projectiles approximating the weight and volume of the standard projectile. These smaller projectiles can be arranged in the cartridge one ahead of the other, with some of the projectiles having a center of mass away from the central axis of the projectile. The length of the multiple projectiles that are fired simultaneously are necessarily shorter than a standard projectile. Flat ends that are 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the projectile are depicted in the drawings for the projectiles that are in contact with each other, however many other shapes are possible.

Upon firing two offset center of mass projectiles simultaneously, if the individual projectiles more massive sides are arranged approx. 180 degrees apart in the gun barrel, the dispersion pattern on the target would be one strike on one side of the bullseye and the second strike on the opposite side. A horizontal two shot dispersion pattern would be created with the proper radial orientation of the projectiles in the chamber of the gun. This pattern would be suited to the handgun ammunition and would increase the hit probability of the gun. Adding a third that had a the center of mass on the central axis, would create a three shot horizontal dispersion pattern with the central shot going to the bullseye.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a projectile.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a standard projectile and two projectiles with an offset center of mass.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an offset center of mass projectile

FIG. 4 is a side view of cartridge with three projectiles

FIG. 5 is a side view of a rifled gun barrel with three projectiles.

FIG. 6 is a view of one particular dispersal pattern.

FIG. 7 is a view of one particular dispersal pattern.

FIG. 8 is a view of one particular dispersal pattern.

FIG. 9 is a view of markings on a cartridge for loading.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention represents a device and method for creating a predetermined pattern of target strikes by firing several projectiles simultaneously from a gun. FIG. 1 reveals a projectile with a central axis 3 running longitudinally in the center of the body of the projectile. The projectile has a side surface 2. The projectile has a center of gravity that is not aligned with, and separate from the central axis 3. The center of gravity can be located a distance from the central axis such as center of gravity 4 and center of gravity 5. The center of gravity can be in any infinite number of locations off the central axis of the projectile as center of gravities 4 and 5 are merely examples. The invention consists of firing multiple projectiles, similar to FIG. 1, sometimes along with standard projectiles, simultaneously by using cartridges that contain more than one projectile.

The center of gravity of a projectile can be shifted from the central axis in a number of ways. One embodiment is shown in FIG. 2, where a standard projectile 6 with a main body is displayed. Some mass can be removed from the side 7 or circumference of a projectile 6, or a projectile can be formed with mass already removed. Such an absence of mass from a side 7 can leave a recess 8, as depicted in projectile A and projectile B in FIG. 2. Projectile B in FIG. 2 has twice the mass removed compared to projectile A and will strike the target approx. twice the distance away from the bullseye as projectile A. The absence of mass from a side of a projectile will cause the center of gravity of a projectile to be in a different location than the central axis of the projectile. The center of mass can also be shifted a distance from the central axis of the projectile by adding mass to the side of the main body.

Another way of creating the projectiles with an offset center of mass is shown in FIG. 3. The center of gravity can be moved by means of a cavity 9 in the body of a projectile between its side surface and its central axis. The cavity can be created by drilling or other technique beneath the surface of the projectile. The cavity is parallel to the center axis 3 of the projectile and lies along the longitudinal length of the projectile.

FIG. 4 shows a hand gun or rifle cartridge 10 with three projectiles. Projectiles 11 and 12 have an offset center of mass with a recess 8, and are radialy oriented approx. 180 degrees apart. Projectile 13 is a standard projectile.

FIG. 5 displays a gun firing the projectiles in FIG. 4. The gun barrel 14 with rifling 15 contains three projectiles. Two projectiles 11 and 12 have an offset center of mass with a recess 8 in the side of the projectiles. The third projectile 13 has a center of mass on the centerline of the barrel. The rifling 15 imparts a spin to the three projectiles upon firing and passing through the barrel 14. The spin exerts a centrifugal force 16 on projectiles 11 and 12 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the barrel. Maximum turns in the rifling will spin the projectile faster and will permit the minimum amount of mass to be removed from the offset center of mass projectiles, in order for the projectiles to diverge from the trajectory of a standard projectile. As projectiles 11 and 12 pass through the barrel 14, the centrifugal force will be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the barrel, however, the force will constantly change in a circular direction because of the spin of the projectile As projectiles 11 and 12 pass through the exit 17, the centrifugal force will act on the projectiles and they will diverge away from the bullseye.

The magnitude of the divergence away from the bullseye is dependant on many factors, such as the magnitude of the centrifugal force, the degree of turns in the rifling to create spin, as well as distance to the target.

An example of a 3 shot horizontal dispersion can be seen from a 30 caliber gun. The rifling is one turn in nine inches. Two projectiles, similar to projectile 11 and 12, with 10% of the mass removed by drilling a 3/16 hole in the side, are fired simultaneously with a projectile similar to projectile 13. The two projectiles similar to 11 and 12 are radially oriented approx. 180 degrees from each other, and also loaded in the proper radial orientation in the gun barrel. Projectiles 11 and 12 are fired simultaneously with projectile 13, and a horizontal strike pattern is created that is 20″ wide at 50 yards.

FIG. 6 shows the horizontal dispersion strike pattern that is created by the three projectiles that are fired simultaneously in the above example, and also from the gun barrel in FIG. 5. In FIG. 6 projectiles 11 and 12 have target strikes at 18 that are on either side of the standard projectile 13 target strike at 19.

FIG. 7 shows a dispersal pattern that could be created by a combination of a standard projectile fired simultaneously with four projectiles similar to projectile A in FIG. 2. The four projectiles A would have to be loaded in the proper radial orientation and also radially orientated approx. 90 degrees from each other and fired simultaneously with the standard projectile from a rifled gun barrel. This would create a pattern as in FIG. 7. Target strikes 18 are above and below and on either side of the standard projectile target strike 19.

FIG. 8 shows a dispersal pattern that could be created by the combination of a standard projectile and two A and two B projectiles from FIG. 2. The four projectiles, two A two and B would have to be loaded in the proper radial orientation and fired simultaneously with the standard projectile from a rifled gun barrel. This would create a horizontal pattern as in FIG. 8. Target strikes 18 are on either side of standard projectile strike 19 and target strikes 20 are twice the distance of 18 from the center and are also on the left and right of target strike 19. Firing different combinations of standard projectiles and projectiles that have their center of mass away from the central axis of the projectile will create many different patterns. Combinations are not limited to those mentioned herein, but may be infinite in variety.

A marking on the aft end of the multi-projectiles cartridges would be desireable to radially orient the cartridges properly upon loading in order to create the desired patterns. FIG. 9 is a view of the aft end of cartridge 21. The mark 22 is a marking that could be radially oriented in the upward position in order to create the desired pattern of projectile strikes upon firing. 

1. A system for projectile dispersion to improve the hit probability on a target comprising: a plurality of projectiles each having a main body, having a front end a back end and a side; wherein each said projectile has a central axis located longitudinally from said back end to said front end of said projectile in the center of said projectile; wherein at least one projectile of said plurality of projectiles have centers of mass which are offset some distance from said central axis of said projectiles; a gun having a rifled barrel; wherein there is a means to orient said offset center of mass of each said projectile radially in relation to said central longitudinal axis of each said projectile prior to firing whereby a predetermined pattern is created when at least one of said projectiles of said plurality of projectiles are fired simultaneously by said gun on a target.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein, said offset centers of mass of each said projectile are located at substantially the same distance from said central longitudinal axis.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein, said offset centers of mass of each projectile are located at substantially different distances from said central longitudinal axis.
 4. The system of claim
 2. wherein, said simultaneously fired projectiles consists of one said standard projectile followed by said projectiles with said differing offset centers of mass with differing vectors of orientation.
 5. The system of claim
 4. wherein, said means to orient each projectile of said projectiles with offset centers of mass is arranged to provide orientation of said projectiles with offset centers of mass whereby the predetermined pattern created is substantially linear and horizontal.
 6. The system of claim
 2. wherein, said means to orient each projectile of said projectiles with offset centers of mass is arranged to provide orientation of said projectiles having said offset centers of mass radially at substantially different vectors.
 7. The system of claim
 6. wherein, said means to orient each projectile of said projectiles with offset centers of mass is arranged to provide orientation of successive projectiles having said offset centers of mass radially approx. 90 degrees from the previous said projectile having said offset center of mass.
 8. The system of claim
 7. wherein, said gun is arranged to fire simultaneously four of said projectiles with said offset centers of mass with said approx. 90 degree differing vectors of orientation whereby the predetermined pattern created is substantially shaped as a diamond around the aim point from said gun.
 9. The system of claim
 7. further comprising, at least one standard projectile with a center of mass along its said central axis interspersed among said projectiles whose offset centers of mass have said approx. 90 degree differing vectors of orientation.
 10. The system of claim
 9. wherein, said simultaneous firing consists of one standard projectile and four of said projectiles with said offset centers of mass with said approx. 90 degree differing vectors of orientation whereby the predetermined pattern created is substantially shaped as a diamond around a central hit point from said standard projectile.
 11. The system of claim 1 further comprising, a means of indicating said radial orientation of said projectiles with said offset centers of mass.
 12. A method for projectile dispersion to improve hit probability on a target comprising: shifting the center of mass a distance away from the central longitudinal axis of at least one of a plurality of projectiles; firing said projectiles simultaneously from a gun having a rifled barrel; orienting said offset center of mass radially in relation to said central longitudinal axis of each said projectile prior to firing said plurality of projectiles from said gun whereby a predetermined pattern is created when at least one of said projectiles of said plurality of projectiles are fired simultaneously by said gun on a target.
 13. A method as recited in claim
 12. wherein, shifting the offset centers of mass of each said projectile involves locating the offset centers of mass at substantially the same distance from said central longitudinal axis.
 14. A method as recited in claim
 12. wherein, shifting the offset centers of mass of each said projectile involves locating the offset centers of mass at substantially different distances from said central longitudinal axis.
 15. A method as recited in claim
 13. wherein, simultaneous firing includes one said standard projectile and said projectiles with said differing offset centers of mass with said differing vectors of orientation.
 16. A method as recited in claim
 15. wherein, orienting said projectiles with said differing offset centers of mass with said different vectors of orientation is performed whereby a predetermined pattern is created that is substantially linear and horizontal.
 17. A method as recited in claim
 12. wherein, orienting said projectiles with said offset centers of mass radially at substantially different vectors.
 18. The method as recited in claim
 17. wherein, orienting each successive projectile of said projectiles having said offset centers of mass radially at a vector which is approx. 90 degrees from the previous projectile having said offset center of mass.
 19. The method as recited in claim
 18. wherein, firing said projectiles from said gun is performed simultaneously with four of said projectiles with said offset centers of mass with said approx. 90 degree differing vectors of orientation whereby the predetermined pattern created is substantially shaped as a diamond around the aim point from said gun.
 20. The method as recited in claim
 18. wherein, interspersing at least one standard projectile with a center of mass along its said central axis among said projectiles with said offset centers of mass having said approx. 90 degree differing vectors of orientation.
 21. The method as recited in claim
 20. wherein, firing said projectiles from said gun simultaneously consists of one said standard projectile and four of said projectiles with said offset centers of mass having said approx. 90 degree differing vectors of orientation whereby the predetermined pattern obtained by firing from said gun is substantially shaped as a diamond around a central hit point.
 22. The system of claim 1 further comprising, a means to offset said centers of mass of said projectiles selected from the group consisting of extraction of mass from said side of said projectile, attachment of mass to said side of said projectile, replacement of portions of said body of said projectile with a less dense material than the material comprising the projectile, replacement of portions of said body of said projectile with a more dense material than the material comprising the projectile, replacement of certain portions of said body of said projectile with said less dense material and simultaneous replacement of other portions of said body with a more dense material, and formation of at least one void within said body of said projectile.
 23. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein shifting the center of mass off the central longitudinal axis of each projectile is performed by a step selected from the group consisting of extracting a portion of mass from said side of said projectile, adding mass to said side of said projectile, replacing portions of said body of said projectile with a less dense material than the material comprising the projectile, replacing portions of the body of said projectile with a more dense material than the material comprising the projectile, replacing certain portions of said body of said projectile with a less dense material than the material comprising the projectile while simultaneously replacing other portions of the body of said projectile with a more dense material than the material comprising the projectile, and forming at least 1 void within the body of said projectile between said side and said central longitudinal axis 